@janis b
great Monarch pics Janis! I have seen 4 this week, big worn pale females which are from the wintering population in Mexico and move through Texas north-northeast bound March to April. Looking for various Milkweeds to lay their eggs on.

Are they an introduced species there in NZ?

Thanks for posting and enjoy your time with Minor. I hope the crocus and daffodils are not too far behind.

Some beauty and magic to brighten a very dark day …

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We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein

Sitting in the garden this morning watching hundreds of them flutter among the wild flowers was magical.

#1 great Monarch pics Janis! I have seen 4 this week, big worn pale females which are from the wintering population in Mexico and move through Texas north-northeast bound March to April. Looking for various Milkweeds to lay their eggs on.

Are they an introduced species there in NZ?

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If we surrendered to earth's intelligence we could rise up rooted, like trees
~ Rainer Maria Rilke

“The origin of Monarch butterflies in NZ is still unclear. The first reported sightings in the early 1840s by Sturm (1878) were published 38 years after the event. These sightings were reported to have resulted in the transfer of pinned speciments to international colleagues, however such specimens have never been found … They refer to Maori elders having a traditional name for the Monarch butterfly (kakahu) which suggests a non-recent arrival. However, the first reliable published accounts of Monarch butterflies in NZ were not until 1868.”

#1 great Monarch pics Janis! I have seen 4 this week, big worn pale females which are from the wintering population in Mexico and move through Texas north-northeast bound March to April. Looking for various Milkweeds to lay their eggs on.

As you can see it's a nice sunny day, but a huge wind came from nowhere and very dark clouds blew in. You could see how the wind was rolling them under and when they got behind the eagles there was such contrast. The sun was still shining on them, but the background was almost black. I have pictures of them trying to stay in the trees by leaning into the wind, but they finally gave up and flew off. I just remembered that I was using a 400mm lens with a two X tele x tender and I had a shoulder mounted camera grip or whatever it was called. I still have the camera, lens and extender for when I have a darkroom again.... any day now.. I wish!

I've been scanning my 17 hundred thousand slides I took before digital replaced film. Slides were so much cheaper to develop and especially when only one or two pictures turned out good. Developing them were free for me because I had a darkroom at work. Everyone remember those days?

Nice photos of the bees and spider. I like the one where it's getting the nectar.

#2
Even without a tripod those are good shots. We do get a few Bald Eagles that visit San Diego county, but sightings are few and far between.

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The public has been conditioned over time—in ways that would make Pavlov’s dawg seem like an in independent thinker

@snoopydawg
Great Bald Eagle pics SD! Ben Franklin knew they were thieves, often stealing fish from Ospreys that catch all their own and so argued against making it the national symbol. Ben wanted the Beaver for its industry. Whooda thunk it woulda turned out a nation run by thieves? Let this be a warning to those choosing national symbols.

I might have put these up before, can't remember, sorry if so... They were over a hundred yards away. This was a digiscope. That is a digital camera put up to telescope. In this case a Sony Mavica (the old floppy disk camera) for maximum low res pixelation.

From a few decades ago when there was farmland out west instead of houses. Sadly I didn't have my tripod with me.

I used to see them nesting in the pine trees by a lake in upstate New York years ago. Their wingspan is immense. Incredible to watch them coast in the air.

#2 Great Bald Eagle pics SD! Ben Franklin knew they were thieves, often stealing fish from Ospreys that catch all their own and so argued against making it the national symbol. Ben wanted the Beaver for its industry. Whooda thunk it woulda turned out a nation run by thieves? Let this be a warning to those choosing national symbols.

I might have put these up before, can't remember, sorry if so... They were over a hundred yards away. This was a digiscope. That is a digital camera put up to telescope. In this case a Sony Mavica (the old floppy disk camera) for maximum low res pixelation.

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If we surrendered to earth's intelligence we could rise up rooted, like trees
~ Rainer Maria Rilke

@dystopian
cool photos. we had bald eagles on our island in Canada until someone cut their tree down to build a subdivision. I hate people. one tried to eat my cat. I went briefly into the house to check something and heard the ravens freaking out. like calls I had never heard before. I rushed outside to see an eagle, at eye level, an arms length away, closing in on my cat. it kept flying. whew. that is when I taught my cats to come inside on command and never left them out alone again. big bird. all I could say was - oh, look at you... lol. there are a bunch of them up the coast of BC in Squamish, https://www.exploresquamish.com/explore/eagle-viewing

#2 Great Bald Eagle pics SD! Ben Franklin knew they were thieves, often stealing fish from Ospreys that catch all their own and so argued against making it the national symbol. Ben wanted the Beaver for its industry. Whooda thunk it woulda turned out a nation run by thieves? Let this be a warning to those choosing national symbols.

I might have put these up before, can't remember, sorry if so... They were over a hundred yards away. This was a digiscope. That is a digital camera put up to telescope. In this case a Sony Mavica (the old floppy disk camera) for maximum low res pixelation.

@magiamma
the Alberni Inlet. Stayed sometimes in the rock quarry above the public dock, other times up one arm on the Indian reservation. A very large snag had an Bald Eagle's nest right next to our cabin. Kittens were born every year but by the end of the season, most were gone. Finally, we saw an Eagle come down from an active nest to try to snag a kitten. Then we knew what was going on. I loved that place before it was "discovered". Caught some 45 pounders. Took my dad up there, in his seventies for some of the best fishing he ever had.

Sad days. Condolences and prayers for all New Zealanders. Janis is in our thoughts.

Macron is excelerating the privatization of public commonwealth. Now it's airports. The France we love is looking more like the US we left.

#2.4
cool photos. we had bald eagles on our island in Canada until someone cut their tree down to build a subdivision. I hate people. one tried to eat my cat. I went briefly into the house to check something and heard the ravens freaking out. like calls I had never heard before. I rushed outside to see an eagle, at eye level, an arms length away, closing in on my cat. it kept flying. whew. that is when I taught my cats to come inside on command and never left them out alone again. big bird. all I could say was - oh, look at you... lol. there are a bunch of them up the coast of BC in Squamish, https://www.exploresquamish.com/explore/eagle-viewing

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You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again you did not know. ~ William Wiberforce

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Look at how majestic they are. The two on the right and the one on the bottom. Look at how far we have come from the days of the pinhole box camera.

I took mine from a way back because we were afraid if we got to close they would fly off. Next year I'm going to spend more time looking for them. I went out west a few weeks ago to find some, but that area is full of homes now, but Danny suggested another place to go.

Spring is finally springing here. A few buds are peaking out and the pussy willows are in bloom. I had so much fun watching them last year before I knew what they were. Who knew they grew on trees?

#2 Great Bald Eagle pics SD! Ben Franklin knew they were thieves, often stealing fish from Ospreys that catch all their own and so argued against making it the national symbol. Ben wanted the Beaver for its industry. Whooda thunk it woulda turned out a nation run by thieves? Let this be a warning to those choosing national symbols.

I might have put these up before, can't remember, sorry if so... They were over a hundred yards away. This was a digiscope. That is a digital camera put up to telescope. In this case a Sony Mavica (the old floppy disk camera) for maximum low res pixelation.

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6 users have voted.

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The public has been conditioned over time—in ways that would make Pavlov’s dawg seem like an in independent thinker

Look at how majestic they are. The two on the right and the one on the bottom. Look at how far we have come from the days of the pinhole box camera.

I took mine from a way back because we were afraid if we got to close they would fly off. Next year I'm going to spend more time looking for them. I went out west a few weeks ago to find some, but that area is full of homes now, but Danny suggested another place to go.

Spring is finally springing here. A few buds are peaking out and the pussy willows are in bloom. I had so much fun watching them last year before I knew what they were. Who knew they grew on trees?

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4 users have voted.

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You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again you did not know. ~ William Wiberforce

If you can donate, please! POP Money is available for bank-to-bank transfers. Email JtC to make a monthly donation.

#2 Great Bald Eagle pics SD! Ben Franklin knew they were thieves, often stealing fish from Ospreys that catch all their own and so argued against making it the national symbol. Ben wanted the Beaver for its industry. Whooda thunk it woulda turned out a nation run by thieves? Let this be a warning to those choosing national symbols.

I might have put these up before, can't remember, sorry if so... They were over a hundred yards away. This was a digiscope. That is a digital camera put up to telescope. In this case a Sony Mavica (the old floppy disk camera) for maximum low res pixelation.

@Socialprogressive
Thanks for asking I hardly ever get to say that! It is on maybe the N. or W. fork of the Guadalupe River. It is a well known wintering Eagle roost west of Kerrville and Hunt in central Texas, right on the highway. Some years only a few, some years a dozen or more. They have a big wide spot in the road to park and you look across the (dry there) river bed to the cliff face where they roost in the big trees. The last few hours of light they come in, often with fish from downriver to eat for dinner or breakfast. So the crossing there was named for all the fish bones down in the bottom of it.

stock photo of Alaska's Chena River, since we're pretty much on the cusp of Spring. 'Chena' is also the namesake of our tough little Alaskan Sourdough Springer, who lived to the ripe old age of 17-1/2 years.

How much we miss that place! With any luck, once Mr M is well, and puts in his retirement papers, and Miss K is mature enough to make the trip--we're hoping to visit.

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.~~Gilda Radner, Comedienne

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.~~Cicero

The obstacle is the path.~~Zen Proverb

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"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
--George Bernard Shaw, Irish Dramatist & Socialist
"We [corporations] are the government!" Actor John Colicos (1978)

stock photo of Alaska's Chena River, since we're pretty much on the cusp of Spring. 'Chena' is also the namesake of our tough little Alaskan Sourdough Springer, who lived to the ripe old age of 17-1/2 years.

How much we miss that place! With any luck, once Mr M is well, and puts in his retirement papers, and Miss K is mature enough to make the trip--we're hoping to visit.

When I saw the heading in your comment, I thought we might get a look at your pup. I guess this one will have to do in the meantime:

stock photo of Alaska's Chena River, since we're pretty much on the cusp of Spring. 'Chena' is also the namesake of our tough little Alaskan Sourdough Springer, who lived to the ripe old age of 17-1/2 years.

How much we miss that place! With any luck, once Mr M is well, and puts in his retirement papers, and Miss K is mature enough to make the trip--we're hoping to visit.

She'll have her first (formal) grooming in about 2 weeks. Plan to see if we can get a good shot of her, then. I'm 'guessing' that she'll weigh between 30-35 lbs at her vet appointment next week. (And, she won't quite be 4-1/2 months old. Yikes!)

Hey, have a nice weekend!

Mollie

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.~~Gilda Radner, Comedienne

When I saw the heading in your comment, I thought we might get a look at your pup. I guess this one will have to do in the meantime:

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"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
--George Bernard Shaw, Irish Dramatist & Socialist
"We [corporations] are the government!" Actor John Colicos (1978)

@Unabashed Liberal
good to see you! sounds like a wonderful trip to make. stay on the sunny side.

stock photo of Alaska's Chena River, since we're pretty much on the cusp of Spring. 'Chena' is also the namesake of our tough little Alaskan Sourdough Springer, who lived to the ripe old age of 17-1/2 years.

How much we miss that place! With any luck, once Mr M is well, and puts in his retirement papers, and Miss K is mature enough to make the trip--we're hoping to visit.

be a nice trip. Agree--it would probably do a lot to help us 'stay on the sunny side.' So, hope it will pan out.

Wishing you nice weather this weekend! (It's sure done a lot to pick up my mood.)

Mollie

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.~~Gilda Radner, Comedienne

#3
good to see you! sounds like a wonderful trip to make. stay on the sunny side.

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"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
--George Bernard Shaw, Irish Dramatist & Socialist
"We [corporations] are the government!" Actor John Colicos (1978)

The Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve was created by the State of Alaska in June of 1982. The preserve was established to protect and perpetuate the world's largest concentration of Bald Eagles and their critical habitat. It also sustains and protects the natural salmon runs and allows for traditional uses; provided such uses do not adversely affect preserve resources. The Preserve consists of 48,000 acres of river bottom land of the Chilkat, Kleheni, and Tsirku Rivers. The boundaries were designated to include only areas important to eagle habitation. Virtually every portion of the preserve is used by eagles at some time during the year.

Here's the link to a carousel of gorgeous photos from the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve--includes bears, scenery, etc.

[Edit: Added photo carousel link.]

Mollie

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.

I know how much I hate the cold weather. Hope it gets warm for you soon.

A few from the backyard this afternoon.

From a few decades ago when there was farmland out west instead of houses. Sadly I didn't have my tripod with me.

"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
--George Bernard Shaw, Irish Dramatist & Socialist
"We [corporations] are the government!" Actor John Colicos (1978)

I heard about the terrible massacre in your lovely country. My best to you and your family as you grapple with everything. My understanding (from the reporting) is that this type of tragedy is considerably more unusual in NZ, compared to here.

The butterflies are very bright and lovely--'yellow' always lifts my spirits. So, thanks!

Take good care of yourself.

Mollie

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.~~Gilda Radner, Comedienne

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5 users have voted.

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"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
--George Bernard Shaw, Irish Dramatist & Socialist
"We [corporations] are the government!" Actor John Colicos (1978)

I heard about the terrible massacre in your lovely country. My best to you and your family as you grapple with everything. My understanding (from the reporting) is that this type of tragedy is considerably more unusual in NZ, compared to here.

The butterflies are very bright and lovely--'yellow' always lifts my spirits. So, thanks!

Take good care of yourself.

Mollie

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.~~Gilda Radner, Comedienne

I took some photos of the crazy snowfall here last week, but I don't want to spoil the mood of the spring thread with snow photos.
The good news is my bird water bowl has emerged from the huge snow drift behind the house.
Cheers!

I love these diaries. The Bald Eagles are simply....awesome. We get them down here in Floridumb, and they are protected in this gun crazed state--period! I hate spiders, but loved those photos of the jumper. Condolences and thoughts of peace to you, janis b. When that malignancy spreads to a peaceful, civilized country like NZ, the whole world is in some serious do-do. Rec'd!!

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• Gosh, I hope preventing the grandkids from frying when they go out to play in the sun doesn’t cost a lot of money!
--Naked Capitalism on the GND